Woman at the Wheel - Volkswagon GTI

The 2008 Volkswagen GTI was named one of Car and Driver Magazine€s 10Best cars in its 26th annual competition. This is the fifth time the GTI has earned this distinction, including a back-to-back 10Best nomination for the 2007 and 2008 models. The GTI is fun to drive, with its high-tech, 200 horsepower 2.0T four-cylinder engine that produces 207 ft.-lbs. of torque, fully independent sports-tuned suspension, aggressive exterior styling, and a practical interior that equally mixes functionality, flair and a driver-first focus and layout. The 2008 GTI is a solid and aggressive sports model with an available automated manual transmission that utilizes direct shifting, which automatically depresses clutch-shift points more efficiently and quicker than even a professional driver can.

For those driving enthusiasts who want the control of a clutch, the GTI comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission. With all that power and performance, and fuel economy of nearly 30 miles per gallon on the highway, it is easy to see why the GTI is a repeated winner of Car and Driver€s 10Best.

€The GTI demonstrates what this brand is all about€"offering affordable German engineered vehicles that are fun-to-drive,€ said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. €We€re extremely pleased that the enthusiasm of owners, combined with the low cost of ownership, has earned the GTI a Motorist Choice Award two years in a row.€

The manufacturer€s suggested retail price is $22,000. The 2008 Volkswagen GTI offers 21 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.